Mel Lastman, long-serving and often controversial former Toronto mayor, dead at age 88 | CBC News

Ontario’s premier says Mel Lastman, the long-serving, often controversial former mayor of Toronto, has died. He was 88.

Doug Ford confirmed the news in a Saturday evening tweet.

“He was a great Mayor and he touched many lives,” Ford said.

“Mel, you will truly be missed. My thoughts are with the Lastman family at this difficult time.”

Ford described Lastman as a “true leader and builder” for Toronto.

I’m very sad to learn of the passing of Mel Lastman. Mel was a true leader and builder for <a href=”https://twitter.com/cityoftoronto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@cityoftoronto</a>. He was a great Mayor and he touched many lives. Mel, you will truly be missed. My thoughts are with the Lastman family at this difficult time. <a href=”https://t.co/b6owt1tcXj”>pic.twitter.com/b6owt1tcXj</a>

—@fordnation

Lastman served as mayor of North York for 25 years before Toronto’s suburbs merged.

He then became the first mayor of the amalgamated Toronto — a role he held for six years.

Reacting to Lastman’s death, Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole described him as a “remarkable leader,” while Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said he had a “wealth of knowledge” on Toronto, Ontario and Canada as a whole.

“I got to know him while I was serving at the provincial level,” Brown said in a tweet. “He leaves behind a very impressive legacy of city building.”

A funeral will be held Monday at 10:00 a.m. at Benjamin’s Park Memorial Chapel.

Mel Lastman was a remarkable leader for Toronto who had a lasting impact on the city. I was saddened to learn of his passing this evening. <br><br>My condolences to the Lastman family and Mel’s many friends during this difficult time.

—@erinotoole